Effect of short-term treatment with bumetanide, quinapril and low-sodium diet on dogs with moderate congestive heart failure

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the effect of bumetanide, quinapril and a low-sodium diet on clinical response tolerance and side-effects on dogs with moderate congestive heart failure.Design A prospective clinical study, using 32 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring disease.Procedure Thirty-two dogs diagnosed with congestive heart failure (International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council stage II) due to mitral valve disease were included. During 4 weeks, patients received 0.5 mg/kg quinapril (Ectren, Menarini), 0.1 mg/kg bumetanide (Fordiuran, Boehringer Ingelheim) and a low sodium diet (CNM-CV, Purina) was fed. All dogs were examined weekly and results were treated statistically.Results The treatment was safe, effective and well tolerated and no major side-effects were observed. There were no significant changes in measured haematological and biochemical variables, including serum electrolyte concentrations and urinary fractional excretion of electrolytes.Conclusion This study suggests that the combined treatment with bumetanide, quinapril and low-sodium diet for controlling moderate CHF due to mitral insufficiency in dogs is simple, easy-to-administer and effective in controlling clinical signs and prompting improvement even after short-term treatment.